This watchdog blog, by journalist Norman Oder, offers analysis, commentary, and reportage about the $4.9 billion project to build the Barclays Center arena and 16 high-rise buildings at a crucial site in Brooklyn. Dubbed Atlantic Yards by developer Forest City Ratner in 2003, it was rebranded Pacific Park in 2014 after the Chinese government-owned Greenland Group bought a 70% stake in 15 towers. New York State still calls it Atlantic Yards. Contact: AtlanticYardsReport[at]hotmail.com

Monday, March 08, 2010

It's just a 42-second radio reportAccording to the audio but it's rather broad-brush.

"Let the evictions begin, as stretches of key avenues here in Downtown Brooklyn are now closed to make way for the $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards project," declares Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs. "Somewhat surprisingly, many residents and business owners I'm talking to say, bring it on."

(There are no evictions yet, or court orders, despite reports of letters sent by the Empire State Development Corporation.)

The only person quoted is a guy who runs a bagel shop on Fifth Avenue and, while the store isn't specified, it might be A.R.E.A. Bagels & Bialys, which was originally--before protests--named for the arena.

"So you see it as a good business move, it's going to help you?" the reporter asks, in a helpful leading question.

The state anticipates an orderly eviction process of residences and businesses over the next several months.

It's something Brian Bradley is surprisingly okay with.

"Ya know what, I'm already being priced out of the neighborhood. So, by the end of the year, I'm probably going to have to move. So, I think it's already affected me and we'll see if rents and everything sky rocket and it can't get any higher than it is."

So why not let dubious findings of blight be used in the pursuit of eminent domain?

And while he may be "okay" with the project, he didn't exactly say bring it on.